Swelling after mommy makeover. Why do I look 4 months pregnant?

Thank you for sharing your question and I am sorry to hear of your persistent swelling.  I would advocate wearing your compression garment while continuing to drink plenty of liquids, limiting your salt intake, and increasing your fiber.  These maneuvers will help control your swelling and bloating until your body has had more time to heal.  Hope this helps.

Thank you for your question. You should expect to have swelling for three to six months following mommy makeover surgery. Use of a properly fitted compression garment will help decrease the length and severity of the post-operative swelling. As the swelling decreases, the contour of your abdomen, flanks, and hips will dramatically improve. Please follow your plastic surgeons specific advice regarding your level of physical activity. Hope this helps and good luck with your recovery.

Everyone responds differently and it sounds like you have swollen a bit more than average. Its not uncommon for swelling to worsen throughout the day, especially if you are standing. Without examining you it's difficult to give specific advice, but if you were my patient I would advise you to wear your compression garments around the clock, and if they aren't tight anymore I would suggest getting a new pair that is. Hope that helps! 

Difficult to assess without photos.  However, swelling after these procedures can take 3-6 months to fully resolve.  would recommend continued use of a compression garment ie Spanx.  Continue follow up with your PS.  

Swelling is common after a tummy tuck and can persist for several months.  It's good that your surgeon determined that there is no seroma.  To help control your swelling consider the use of a compression garment- especially when you are on your feet and active.  Make sure that you give yourself time to rest during the day.  You are still healing!  It takes about 6 months to fully recover from the tummy tuck.  

Hi Sarah, you are still very early on in the recovery phase and must give sufficient time for the swelling to go down. This can take several weeks and vary from patient to patient. Wearing a compression garment and manual lymphatic drainage can both help. Speak with your plastic surgeon as he/she is the best person to advise you. All the best.

I am sorry to hear about her concerns after tummy tuck surgery. Longer-term swelling after tummy tuck surgery is not uncommon;  swelling may persist for many months and even up to one year after the procedure is performed. Often, patients will report that the swelling increases as their activity level increases and gets worse later on in the day. Sometimes, the use of compressive garments may be helpful to control the edema.  The cause of the swelling, is that the abdominal wall skin does not have the capacity to "drain"  normally, because  the lymphatic and venous channels  have been disrupted with the procedure.  It may take up to one year, sometimes longer, for these channels to function again (or for other channels to take over). 
 I would suggest that you continue to follow up with your plastic surgeon, who will be in the best position to assess your situation and provide you with specific recommendations. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be pleased with long-term care.

This is not unusual and it can take a few months for everything to settle. Often the lower abdo above the scar swells as you start mobilising and often a compression garment can help. Keep in touch with your PS. 

It is not unusual to have swelling.  Follow up with your plastic surgeon on a routine basis, and wear your compression garment.